Willow Smoke

by Adriana Kraft

  Daisy’s shoulders sagged. Who was she kidding? If her sister did pull through, she’d never challenge Reggie’s so-called witnesses to the mugging. How much more could she take? How much more could any of them take?

  Cassie and Clint had gone home. Nick remained in the waiting room. He’d been on the phone checking on the police report. She shuddered. She’d finally buckled under pressure from Clint and Cassie to allow Clint’s detective agency to do some digging into Reggie’s affairs. Maybe the only way to protect her sister was to get her husband behind bars—for a good long time.

  So far he was nowhere to be seen. She was actually somewhat surprised he’d bothered to call her. Apparently the doctor had wanted contact with another family member, if at all possible. The doctor probably had identified Reggie as an abuser right away.

  Daisy flinched at the light touch on her shoulder. “Times up,” the nurse said. “Why don’t you get some rest? It’ll be another couple hours before Doctor Anderson is by. I’ll let you know when he’s here.”

  “Thanks.” Daisy stood and smiled wanly. “I’ll be in the waiting area.”

  - o -

  “So what did you find out?” Nick asked, holding Daisy in his arms. “Are you okay?”

  Daisy stepped back, slumped down on a vinyl armchair and accepted the Styrofoam cup of coffee Nick handed her. “Nothing new to report. She’s still not awake. I guess that’s normal. The doctor won’t be by for another couple hours or so. I’ll wait for him.” She sipped the coffee. “There’s no need for you to stay, Nick. I’m here now.”

  “You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Nick said. “I’ve got nothing more pressing to do than be here with you. Tom and Thelma send their love. Sam says to take as much time as you need. Angie wants to know if it’s okay to come by.”

  A corner of Daisy’s mouth turned up. “My, you have been busy. I don’t really want to see anyone else today.”

  “Even me?”

  “No, I didn’t mean you. You’ve been a rock throughout this. I just don’t want to share this world with Angie or anyone if I can help it.”

  Nick squeezed her neck gently between thumb and index finger. Daisy closed her eyes and leaned into him. If she wasn’t careful, she’d begin to purr.

  “You don’t seem to realize that your friends see you as a strong young woman who cares, maybe too much. No one is going to be put off by your family.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.” Her voice was muffled with exhaustion.

  “We can’t be responsible for our relatives or who our parents were.”

  “At least you know who your parents were.” Daisy ground her fingernails into her palms. What had made her say that? Was she that vulnerable? Now he knew she was a bastard. She looked at him with horror on her face.

  “Don’t,” he said, leaning over to kiss her forehead. “Don’t be ashamed. Given what you’ve said around the edges, I’m not surprised. And it doesn’t matter to me. Not one bit. I have a lovely woman sitting next to me that I care about deeply. I don’t care if you are descended from the likes of Huck Finn or the Queen of England.”

  Daisy managed a tiny smile. “I doubt that either of those are likely, since one is fictional and the other out of the question.”

  “Maybe. Just don’t think that you’re the only one with questionable roots.”

  Daisy frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, it just so happens that on my mother’s side there is a grandfather whose father remains unknown. A bastard, they might have called him in his day, but I’m darned proud of him. He became a successful railroad engineer. And if it hadn’t been for him, there would be no me.”

  “Angie said there were skeletons in your family too.” She raised one eyebrow. “Are there more?”

  “Oh yeah.” Nick sighed and then stood. “But another time. Now we have to see about getting you some food. I don’t want you fainting.”

  “Somehow, I think you just avoided answering a question. But you’re right. I’m famished. But I don’t want to leave. If the doctor comes by early, I don’t want to miss him.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll just snoop around a bit.” He gave her his wicked smile. “I’m pretty good at snooping.”

  “I’ve noticed.”

  “You hang here and I’ll see what I can find to eat.”

  - o -

  “Wake up, bitch!”

  Daisy’s eyes jerked wide. Dazed, it took her a moment to identify her surroundings. She must have dozed. But there was no question who was shaking her by the shoulder.

  “Take your hands off me, Reggie.” She scrambled to her feet. He never had liked the fact that she stood a good four inches taller than him. “If you came to see Maxine, she’s still limited to ten minute visits.”

  Reggie backed up a couple steps and sneered. “I’m not stupid. I know that. So are you satisfied?

  “What do you mean?”

  “If you’d come through with more dough, your sister wouldn’t have to walk the streets at one in the morning looking for johns.”

  Daisy blanched. Was he telling the truth? He just wanted her to believe Maxine was mugged.

  “I can see that you got the picture, bitch. Not a pretty one either. But bread is bread. And we’ll get it any way we can. Which reminds me, you better stop by billing before you go anywhere.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Somebody’s got to pay for all of this. We ain’t got any insurance, you know. Unless you want us to be at the mercy of the county.”

  Daisy groaned. “I’ll check into it. There must be a way to pay.”

  “Oh, there’s a way all right.” Reggie moved forward and Daisy backpedaled until she felt the wall against her buttocks.

  “Your rich boyfriend can spring for it. About time he started paying his own way in this family. He should know it’s going to cost him to get a virgin piece like you.”

  Instinctively, Daisy slapped her brother-in-law. He staggered, momentarily retreating. Regaining his balance, he came in low with his shoulder, slamming Daisy against the wall. Slanting a forearm against her throat and pressing a knee against her crotch, Reggie shouted, “Don’t ever try anything like that again, or you’ll be in bed next to your sister.”

  Daisy fought for breath. She wanted to close her eyes but wouldn’t give Reggie the satisfaction.

  “I’m only gonna say this one more time, bitch. You better figure out a way to separate super stud and some of his cash. You’re not gonna leave us lying in the gutter while you ride the gravy train. Accidents happen every day. Look at your sister. Could be you. Could be him. You understand?”

  Daisy nodded. Her eyes rounded. She saw Nick running in from the hallway with a man in a white coat right behind him.

  The weight was yanked from her throat; she slumped to the floor gasping for breath, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of Nick. She’d never seen this side of him. He was ready to kill.

  Nick spun the shorter, beefier man around and slammed him against the wall. He blocked a blow to his body and struck a solid blow to Reggie’s midsection and a second to his nose. Reggie crumpled to the floor. Blood from his nose spurted over his shirt.

  “You broke my fuckin’ nose, you bastard.” Reggie reached for his boot.

  Nick stomped his foot on the man’s wrist, pinning it to the floor. “If you try for that pig sticker again, you’d better be able to handle it a lot better than your fists.”

  Reggie yelped.

  Without taking pressure off the man’s wrist, Nick bent over and pulled a thin five inch blade from its hiding place in Reggie’s boot.

  Nick glanced at Daisy. “I suppose introductions aren’t necessary,” Nick said, stepping aside to cradle Daisy in his arms. “This must be Reggie—the outstanding citizen of Cicero. I’m Nicholas Underwood. You’re lucky you’re still alive,” he growled at Reggie.

  “You’ll wish you weren’t before I’m through with you,” Reggie gasped, bracing himself against the wall, trying
to stand. “This isn’t over. Not at all.”

  “Not if you don’t want it to be,” Nick agreed. “You just be careful, little man. Any accidents happen to Daisy, and I’m coming after you. You won’t have enough hiding holes to keep me away.”

  “Nick, please don’t antagonize him more,” Daisy pled, tugging on his elbow.

  “Sandy,” the man in the white coat said. “Call security. I want this man removed from the premises. And he is not to be allowed back in.”

  “Who the hell are you? I’m Maxine’s husband.”

  “I’m Maxine’s doctor, and I’ve had to repair your handiwork. Don’t tell me otherwise. The cops don’t believe your story either. But their hands are tied. Mine aren’t.” Doctor Anderson looked at the nurse. “Like I said. Make sure security doesn’t let him back.”

  “But what about my nose?” Reggie wailed, clutching his handkerchief over his nose.

  The doctor grunted. “Doubt one more broken nose will harm your looks or disposition. You’ll heal a lot faster than your wife.”

  “I’ll press charges,” Reggie squealed.

  The doctor looked around the room at the nurse, Nick and Daisy and then shook his head. “I don’t think you have any witnesses to back up your story this time.” Two security officers entered the room.

  “Get this vermin out of here, gentlemen,” Dr. Anderson ordered. “Make sure you put your gloves on before touching him. I wouldn’t want you catching anything.”

  “I’ll get you, too, Doc,” Reggie shouted over the shoulder of a guard hustling him from the room.

  “Don’t waste your breath on me.” Dr. Anderson shook his head and turned toward Nick and Daisy. “If I’m not threatened twice a day, I don’t feel like I’m doing my job.” He invited them to be seated.

  “Are you okay?”

  Daisy smiled at Nick. “I’m fine. I was pretty shook, but now I’m okay. How about you?”

  “Never felt better. It’s good to get the adrenaline going now and then.”

  “I’m worried. Reggie’s threats aren’t idle.”

  “Neither are mine.”

  “I’ve got a busy schedule, you two,” Dr. Anderson interrupted. “I’m afraid you’ll have to sort out your family troubles on someone else’s time.”

  “Sorry,” Daisy replied.

  “That’s all right. As to your sister, we’re keeping her under heavy sedation at the moment, but we’ll begin to back that off in the morning. I think she’s doing okay, given the circumstances.” Dr. Anderson looked toward the doorway where Reggie had left and shook his head. “Some women never learn to give up on a guy.”

  Daisy nodded. “Will she make it?”

  “Oh, I think so. Unless there’s complications. With any luck, she’ll be out of intensive care in two or three days. Then it’s just a matter of getting her back where she can manage for herself. People don’t stay in hospitals any longer than necessary these days. Sometimes not even long enough.”

  Daisy held her chin in her palm. “Before he attacked me, Reggie was saying something about not having insurance, and that I needed to pay her bill.”

  “I don’t handle the financial end of things, but this is a county hospital. There are a lot of patients here who have no insurance and can’t afford the services. Don’t worry about your sister’s bills. There are programs that can help with that.”

  “If it’s a matter of money...”

  “Don’t even suggest it,” Daisy ordered, glaring at Nick. “That’s exactly what Reggie wants, for you to start paying their bills. If you ever begin, there will be no end. I can guarantee it.”

  Dr. Anderson laid a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “I expect that’s excellent advice. I see these kinds of situations far too often. The county will help out. You both pay your taxes; let the county do its thing. It will do the minimal, but it will be adequate medical care.”

  - o -

  The next morning, Daisy opened her eyes in a strange bed. Quickly, she closed them, sank back into the down pillows, and pulled the sheet up tighter. She stretched a hand out to her right. She was alone.

  Prying her eyes open again, she checked the red numerals on the clock. Ten o’clock. Good grief. She never slept that late. Still, she hesitated to climb out into this new space.

  Nick had brought her back to his Kenwood home. No way could she convince him she would be safe at her apartment with Reggie on the loose. She was touched by his concern for her safety, but she wasn’t sure bouncing around in a fourteen room house with a multimillionaire was good for her health, either.

  They’d arrived after dark. Even then, Daisy recognized the old Tudor house standing at the head of a wrap-around driveway for what it was: a mansion. No doubt the place had a manicured lawn and beautiful gardens. Nick had told her about Mary Brown, an ageless woman in her eighties who was his live-in housekeeper.

  Daisy moaned. The house had to be large enough for at least a half dozen live-in housekeepers. She hadn’t seen many of the rooms. Just the kitchen, dining room, Nick’s bedroom and the adjoining bathroom. All were decorated with taste.

  Nothing gaudy or flashy. She guessed it was solid and fairly masculine. There was no showy display of money.

  From what she’d seen thus far, the interior of Nick’s home was understated, much like Nick himself. Daisy hugged herself; she couldn’t believe she’d flown on a private jet. Maxine!

  Daisy’s eyes sprang open. She had to get back to the hospital—Maxine could awaken at any moment. Daisy threw back the covers preparing to climb out of the massive oak bed when she heard a light rap at the door. Pulling the covers back up, she croaked, “Come in.”

  “Ah, you’re awake. About time. Though I heard you’ve had a bad time of it lately. I’m Mary Brown. Let’s get you out of bed before you can’t move.”

  Daisy gripped the sheets between white-knuckled fingers. She tilted her head, trying to comprehend the slightly bent black woman with a broad smile showing several gaps of missing teeth. Nick was right, the woman was ageless. She had the bounce of a sixty-year-old. But the gun-metal gray of her hair and the deep creases in her skin spoke of decades of hard work and pain. The woman’s smile line indicated there had also been plenty of joy. That pleased Daisy.

  Stepping closer to peer at Daisy, Mary Brown said, “So you’re the young lady who has Mr. Underwood turned inside out. I wouldn’t have expected less. Come on now, let’s get you dressed.”

  Finding her voice, Daisy replied, “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Brown, but I don’t need help getting dressed.”

  “Call me Mrs. B., Miss Daisy. Everyone else does. And I’ve been helping folks get in and out of clothes, making meals, and cleaning up messes in this house for over sixty years. It’s what I do. Now put that sheet down and get out here. Time’s a- wasting.”

  Frowning, Daisy climbed out of bed. Naked, she felt extremely vulnerable before the older women even though she towered over the housekeeper.

  “My, my. You are a beauty. So tall. But you’ve got the right stuff in the right places. I’ll make the bed while you get some things on. You can freshen up in Mr. Nick’s bathroom, if you like.”

  Daisy grabbed a bra, panties and slacks and tried not to dash too rapidly to the bathroom. She wasn’t surprised to find Mrs. Brown still there tidying up when she stepped back into the bedroom. Partially clothed, she didn’t feel at such a disadvantage. What did the old woman make of her relationship with her employer?

  “So you’ve lived and worked here a long time. Before Nick bought the house, I imagine.”

  “Oh heavens, yes. Nick wasn’t even a dream in his mommy’s heart when I moved here. The Prestons bought this house in the late thirties. I came to work for them shortly after; I was the nanny to their five children. Lived in the carriage house back then.” Mary fluffed a pillow. “Missus passed on and Mister had to be put in a home. That’s when Mr. Nick moved in. I never moved out. It’s been good.

  “Though I’ve got to say it’s been better since his
Missus moved out. She could be pretty snooty at times. Didn’t like me hovering about when they had parties. Wanted me to serve, but not be seen. Now I don’t know about you, but I haven’t figured out how to be present but not visible.”

  Daisy laughed. “No, I haven’t figured that out, but I’ve wished I could more than once.”

  “Ain’t that the truth. Girl, you’re good. I can see you and I are going to get along just fine.”

  “I don’t expect to be around much. This was kind of an emergency, my being here.”

  “Hah. Emergency. Emergency. I know my Mr. Nick. You’re here because he wants you here.”

  Giving up on finding a better top, Daisy tugged on a silk tan blouse she’d planned to wear at a special dinner in Lexington.

  “I’ll have your things cleaned by the time you get back.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Mrs. Brown. I’ll be going back to my apartment soon. By the way, where is Nick?”

  “Ah, yes, I almost forgot.” The elderly woman pressed a palm against her forehead. “He wanted you to know that he had to go to the shop for an important meeting this morning. Expected you would want to go to the hospital. He left the jeep for you. He didn’t think you’d want to drive his Triumph.”

  “He has a Triumph?”

  “Uh, huh. One of his many toys. He used to be into cars, but I heard tell that you got him into the ponies. Now, that’s a lot better, from my way of thinking.”

  Daisy didn’t even attempt to conceal her grin. “And, why is that, Mrs. Brown?”

  “It’s Mrs. B., girl. My husband, Andrew, bless his soul, had one obsession—in addition to me, of course—and that was the ponies. He used to watch them at Washington Park. One of his greatest thrills as a young man was watching Seabiscuit run. He talked about that horse until the day he died. Enough of this prattle, you must be starving. I’ve got breakfast warming.”